New Orleans Saints All-Time Coaching Staff
By Darral Nail
New Orleans Saints All-Time Coaching Staff
Defensive Coordinator: Steve Sidwell (1986-1995)
In the tale of the New Orleans Saints’ initial ascent from historical-level ineptitude to legitimate NFL contender, perhaps no individual contribution looms larger than that of former defensive coordinator, Steve Sidwell.
The architect of the famed “Dome Patrol”, characterized by its almost inconceivably fierce collection of linebackers and revered to this day in New Orleans and beyond, Sidwell’s defensive units of the late 1980s and early 1990s impacted the trajectory of the Saints franchise in a way that would remain unmatched until the arrival of Sean Payton and Drew Brees in New Orleans in the mid-2000s.
The unit peaked over a six year stretch, from 1987 through 1993, during which the Saints won 70 games and made the franchise’s first (and three subsequent) playoff appearance(s). Sidwell’s unit led all NFL defenses in points allowed in consecutive seasons (1991, 1992) and finished in the top five of league defenses four times in six seasons.
Alongside the emergence of Drew Brees and/or the team’s run to Super Bowl XLIV, the defenses that New Orleans fielded during Sidwell’s tenure likely represent the very finest of Saints-related memories for fans that were fortunate enough to witness them in action.
Honorable Mention: Dennis Allen (2015-present), Wade Phillips (1981-1985)
New Orleans Saints All-Time Coaching Staff
Special Teams Coordinator: Joe Marciano (1986-1995)
While the name Joe Marciano might not resonate with Saints fans on the same level of his offensive and defensive cohorts on this list, the special teams units that he oversaw from 1986 to 1995 include some of the franchise’s all-time greats.
Headlined by NFL Hall of Famer Morten Andersen, the Saints that Marciano tutored also included returners Mel Gray, Tyrone Hughes and Vince Buck, punters Brian Hansen and Tommy Barnhart, and cover team aces such as Bennie Thompson and Fred McAfee.
While New Orleans was Marciano’s first coaching stop in the NFL, he went on to serve as a special team’s coordinator in the league for 32 consecutive seasons.
Honorable Mention: Al Everest (2000-2005), Mike Westhoff (2017-2018)